, Question 1
In the straight-line backing event, a driver must back a 53-foot trailer through a
12-foot-wide lane for 100 feet. If the tractor's rear axle is 4 feet off-center at the
start, which steering correction sequence minimizes lateral drift?
A. Steer hard opposite the drift, then counter-steer immediately to
straighten.
B. Make small, timed steering inputs toward the drift, allowing the trailer
to pivot gradually.
C. Hold the wheel steady and use the trailer brake to pull the vehicle
straight.
D. Steer away from the drift, then overcorrect to align the tractor and
trailer.
Correct Answer: B - Make small, timed steering inputs toward
the drift, allowing the trailer to pivot gradually.
RATIONALE
Small, timed steering inputs toward the drift allow the trailer to pivot
gradually and minimize overcorrection, which is critical in tight
backing. Hard or overcorrections (A, D) cause jackknifing or loss of
control. Using trailer brakes alone (C) does not correct lateral
alignment effectively.
Question 2
During a pre-trip inspection, a driver finds a brake chamber pushrod stroke of
2.5 inches on a type 30/30 long-stroke chamber. According to CVSA
out-of-service criteria, what is the correct action?
A. The vehicle is out of service because the stroke exceeds the adjustment
limit.
B. The vehicle is serviceable if the slack adjuster is not loose.
C. The vehicle requires immediate brake re-adjustment but is not out of
service.
Page 2
, D. The vehicle is serviceable because long-stroke chambers allow up to 3
inches.
Correct Answer: A - The vehicle is out of service because the
stroke exceeds the adjustment limit.
RATIONALE
CVSA out-of-service criteria for long-stroke chambers specify a
maximum pushrod stroke of 2.0 inches; 2.5 inches exceeds this,
making the vehicle out of service. Options B and D incorrectly suggest
it is serviceable, and C understates the severity-out-of-service is
required.
Question 3
A driver must secure a 20,000 lb steel coil using the federal cargo securement
rules. Which tie-down configuration is compliant for a coil loaded in a sided
vehicle?
A. Two chains with a working load limit of 5,000 lb each, placed
diagonally.
B. Four chains with a working load limit of 4,000 lb each, placed
vertically.
C. Two straps with a working load limit of 10,000 lb each, placed
horizontally.
D. Four chains with a working load limit of 5,000 lb each, placed
diagonally.
Correct Answer: D - Four chains with a working load limit of
5,000 lb each, placed diagonally.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
FMCSA requires aggregate WLL of tie-downs to be at least 50% of
cargo weight (10,000 lb for 20,000 lb). Four chains at 5,000 lb each
provide 20,000 lb aggregate, and diagonal placement prevents
shifting. Options A and C provide insufficient WLL; B uses vertical
placement, which is less effective.
Question 4
In the diminishing clearance event, a driver approaches a 9-foot-wide gap with
a vehicle 8.5 feet wide. Which technique best ensures passage without touching
the barriers?
A. Aim the vehicle's center at the gap's center and maintain constant
speed.
B. Align the left side of the vehicle with the left barrier and steer straight
through.
C. Use the right mirror to judge clearance and make continuous small
adjustments.
D. Slow to a crawl, then steer sharply left immediately after entering the
gap.
Correct Answer: C - Use the right mirror to judge clearance and
make continuous small adjustments.
RATIONALE
Continuous small adjustments based on mirror reference points allow
precise tracking through diminishing clearance. Centering (A) is
insufficient for asymmetric clearance; aligning one side (B) ignores
the other side; sharp steering (D) risks contact.
Question 5
A tractor-trailer combination has a GCWR of 80,000 lb. If the tractor weighs
18,000 lb and the trailer weighs 12,000 lb empty, what is the maximum legal
payload?
Page 4
In the straight-line backing event, a driver must back a 53-foot trailer through a
12-foot-wide lane for 100 feet. If the tractor's rear axle is 4 feet off-center at the
start, which steering correction sequence minimizes lateral drift?
A. Steer hard opposite the drift, then counter-steer immediately to
straighten.
B. Make small, timed steering inputs toward the drift, allowing the trailer
to pivot gradually.
C. Hold the wheel steady and use the trailer brake to pull the vehicle
straight.
D. Steer away from the drift, then overcorrect to align the tractor and
trailer.
Correct Answer: B - Make small, timed steering inputs toward
the drift, allowing the trailer to pivot gradually.
RATIONALE
Small, timed steering inputs toward the drift allow the trailer to pivot
gradually and minimize overcorrection, which is critical in tight
backing. Hard or overcorrections (A, D) cause jackknifing or loss of
control. Using trailer brakes alone (C) does not correct lateral
alignment effectively.
Question 2
During a pre-trip inspection, a driver finds a brake chamber pushrod stroke of
2.5 inches on a type 30/30 long-stroke chamber. According to CVSA
out-of-service criteria, what is the correct action?
A. The vehicle is out of service because the stroke exceeds the adjustment
limit.
B. The vehicle is serviceable if the slack adjuster is not loose.
C. The vehicle requires immediate brake re-adjustment but is not out of
service.
Page 2
, D. The vehicle is serviceable because long-stroke chambers allow up to 3
inches.
Correct Answer: A - The vehicle is out of service because the
stroke exceeds the adjustment limit.
RATIONALE
CVSA out-of-service criteria for long-stroke chambers specify a
maximum pushrod stroke of 2.0 inches; 2.5 inches exceeds this,
making the vehicle out of service. Options B and D incorrectly suggest
it is serviceable, and C understates the severity-out-of-service is
required.
Question 3
A driver must secure a 20,000 lb steel coil using the federal cargo securement
rules. Which tie-down configuration is compliant for a coil loaded in a sided
vehicle?
A. Two chains with a working load limit of 5,000 lb each, placed
diagonally.
B. Four chains with a working load limit of 4,000 lb each, placed
vertically.
C. Two straps with a working load limit of 10,000 lb each, placed
horizontally.
D. Four chains with a working load limit of 5,000 lb each, placed
diagonally.
Correct Answer: D - Four chains with a working load limit of
5,000 lb each, placed diagonally.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
FMCSA requires aggregate WLL of tie-downs to be at least 50% of
cargo weight (10,000 lb for 20,000 lb). Four chains at 5,000 lb each
provide 20,000 lb aggregate, and diagonal placement prevents
shifting. Options A and C provide insufficient WLL; B uses vertical
placement, which is less effective.
Question 4
In the diminishing clearance event, a driver approaches a 9-foot-wide gap with
a vehicle 8.5 feet wide. Which technique best ensures passage without touching
the barriers?
A. Aim the vehicle's center at the gap's center and maintain constant
speed.
B. Align the left side of the vehicle with the left barrier and steer straight
through.
C. Use the right mirror to judge clearance and make continuous small
adjustments.
D. Slow to a crawl, then steer sharply left immediately after entering the
gap.
Correct Answer: C - Use the right mirror to judge clearance and
make continuous small adjustments.
RATIONALE
Continuous small adjustments based on mirror reference points allow
precise tracking through diminishing clearance. Centering (A) is
insufficient for asymmetric clearance; aligning one side (B) ignores
the other side; sharp steering (D) risks contact.
Question 5
A tractor-trailer combination has a GCWR of 80,000 lb. If the tractor weighs
18,000 lb and the trailer weighs 12,000 lb empty, what is the maximum legal
payload?
Page 4
